Card game



Sept. 22, 1936.

V. D. SHOUP CARD GAME Fi led Sept. 15, 1934 ANY TIME WHEN ANY TIME WHEN RUNNERS A'REON RUNNERS 0N FIRST FmsT-Anm-THIRD SINGLE sI LE Burs; Is HIT BATTER WALKS 'PI'TCHED BALI. I

' 'RUNNERSUF' ANV\ ruIvuERsQFMvv) anscs ARE ,qnv N 5 (W53 BASES/IRE A P v 5 Iy c ggg: LOADED zA-prs n 15 au lo/WEI] 2 3 4 WHEN WHEN WHEN ANY TIME "BASESARE A RUNNER Is znsss ARE:

LOAD EII 0N SECOND EMPTY EALL PITCHER enoulvnsk SINGLE rumuss A-BUN'! To sIIoRTsTo P I an nuIvIvsIeMIPM Y) wurmn scones BATTER IS' HOLD TIIEIRzAsss.

rRoM THIRD wunmsns oIv o/v TIRsT' BASES ARE STILL f'ms'r 4N1] THIRD.

LOAD-E1] WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN A'RUNNER Is 0N ARUNNERIS oIv RUNNERS ARE oIv A RUNNER IS ON rIRs'r. FIR ST FIRsT Aun SECOND THIRZD HIT AND RUN SINGLE T0 RIGHTCENTER PUTS RUNNERS 0N FIRST AND THl'Rm THREE IBASE HIT TPUNNE'RS SCORE.

BATTER IS ON THIRD SACRIFICEFLY T0 IIE'EP CENTER BATTER IS OUT RUNNER SCORES T M H N \NHEN flNY I E WHEN m ARE ON Awgr gmx gs on ggg k g FIRST AND TIIImI L SINGLE SINGLE SINGLE moms ESTEAL numvanscmw) T0 LEFT FIELD numvsn scones vwnmsn sconss ADVANCE ONE BASE 'RUNNE'RS scan: r-Irom THIRD BATTER IS on IBATTER Is BATTER IS OTHER 'RUNNER rmsT. 0N rmsr. 0N rmsr GOES TO sEcoIvJ:

w EN WHEN WHEN ANY TIM E :sAsas ARE- EMPTY A RUNNER IS om: OR MORE 7 0N THlR-D R tz/ga s ARE ON 33/] LL UEEZE PLA SINGLE sq y HOME'RUN. wumvsksflrmvy) v RUNNER sconEs H0 L1) THEIR Just-s BATTER Is ON warren sans EVERYBODY SCORES rmsw AT FIRST.

I7" /x H9 20 ANY TIME WHEN ANY TIME ANY TIME %XFv/II?ns2 Two BA'SE III T BA LL BALL. oIvJs/IsEs v RUNNERSUFANY) wuIvIvEnsUF ANY) 'RUNNE'RSUFANY) SACRIFICE BUNT ADVANCE THREE HOLD THEN HOLD THEIR RUNNERJ Anv/wus 3/1555 :sAs ONE 3AM: ZBASES :em-rsn Is our. 2| 22 23 24 "36 WHE N WHEN 5' A'RUNNERIS A'RUNNETtlS I om rmsr 0N SECOND SINGLE Two BA SE HIT INVENTOR. ovER SHORTSTO'P PUTS RUN/YE'RS 0N wu/v/vER scones Z rmsr AND-SECOND. anrnm Is 4N SECOND.

' ATTORNE Y- Sept; 22, 1936.

V. D. SHOUP CARD GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ANY TIME WHEN WHEN ANY TIME H RUNNER 1s A RUNNER IS BATTER FLIES our on THIRD 0N THIRD T0 SDBASEMAN STRIKE emu/1225a TomcHT OFSHORTSTOP BATTER FLIEs ouT T0 SHORT LEFT RUNNERSUFANY) RUNNER IS ouT TRY- FIELD 'RUNIYERSUFANY) HOLB T Elli-BASES Ill/GT2) SCORE 'RUNNER'STAYS HOLD THEIR BATTER SAFE AT 157'- ON THI'RJI 3 4553 27 2s 22 WHEN WHEN k ANY TIME WHEN A RUNNER IS ON 'RUNNERS ARE ON TOP FLY- A RUNNER 1s 0N THIR FIRST/mm THIRD CAUGHT 3) FIRST BATTER TLIES OUT 'P/TCHER TO SHDRTSTOF SLOW GROUNIIER T0 LOW LINE DRIVE F/RST BASEMAN CAUGHT :By wumvn smys 01v RUNNERSUF ANY) SECOND JFAsE/IM N SECOND I RUNNERS gyms HoLn msmmszs RUNNER STAYS 3A7 E7? 15 ouT T/RST 31 31 33 :34 I WHEN WHEN ANY TIME ANY TIME ONE OR MORE 7rv/v- A RUNNER /s NERS ARE am'msss 0N FIRST STR/ K5 g T O T :zATrERfl/Es our [NF/ELI] GROUNDS}? 0 TO can-ran FIELMIIR rouau: IPLAY RUNNERSUF A N y) WUNNE'RSUF AN y) FUNNERS HOLD RUN/YER IS OUT HOLD THEIR 1311s ES HOLD THEIR BA SE5 BASE MA N RUNNER I5 TITRCE] OUT AT SECOND BATTER l5 SAFE AT FIRST RUNNER l5 FORCED OUT AT PLATE JSASES STILL LDAIIEID THEIR BASES BATTER uT 3-8. 50/ 37 3:? A Y TIME ANY TIME WHEN H Tau/mans ARE ON I A 'RUNNER IS FIRSTANIITH/RD ONSECOND STRIKE BATTER TLIES OUT TO THE SHORTSTOT BA TTER FL/ES ooT TO SHORT CENTER RuNNERsUFANy) RUNNERSUFANY) RUNNERS REMAIN FIELJ] T AND .U A S HOLD THEIR "lmsss HOLD THE/R BASES sh/R11 @335 y WHEN WHEN WHEN ANY TIME A numvsn is ON vwuusns an: M nu/wvERs ARE olv FOUL FLY FIRST FIESTA/v1: SECOND SECOND ANDTHI RID CAUGHT 3) CATCHE'R BATTER FLIES OUT EATTER STRIKES BATTER FLIES OUT TD SHORT RIGHT OUT TO SECOND IASEMAIV FIELJ -RuNNEr s(IrA/w) "RUNNER STA YS 0N RUNNERSI HO D 'RUNNERS HOLII HOLD THEIR TASES FIRST. THEI'R BASES THEI'R BASES 4-3 44 40' 4M WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN A RUNNER /s 0H ONE on moRE TwN- ONE on MORE 1w-- A'RUIYNER 1s FIRST NE'RS A'RE OMBASE S NERS ARE ON BASES 0N SECOND ATTEMPTS T0 $ATTER FLIES OUT BATTER FLIE-S OUT POP FOUL FLY STEAL SECOND To LEFT FIELDER 7'0 RIGHT T'IELIIER CAUGHTBY T/RST BASE I BASE/WAN RUNNER IS OUT AT 'RUNNE'RS HOLD 'RLINNERS HOLD RUNNER STAYS sEc o/vn THEIR msss. THE/R msss 0N SECONJJ 47 4? 49 5o WHEN WHEN Z AnuuNE IS ON BASES A'RE m aza r'm GRDUNDER T0 THIRZD To PITCH A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNITE of sm'rlais PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to card games, and particularly to card games relating to the game of base-ball.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a set of cards for playing the game of baseball, wherein one half of the set is termed the batters pack, and the other half of theset is termed the fielders pack, and wherein each pack of cards contains one or more cards which can be advantageously or gainfully played arbitrarily at anytime and under any situation or condition existing on the playing field.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set of cards for playing.- the game of base-ball, wherein one half cf'the set is termed thefbatters pack, andiith'eother half is termed. the fielders pack, and wherein'each packof cards contains one or more cards whichcan be played advantageously, or gainfully; only whenl-one or more runners are on bases.

A thildiObjBCt of the invention is to provide a set of fifty two cards for playing the game of base.

ball,.wherein twenty-six of the cards are termed the. batters" pack and theother twenty six cards are .termedthe -fielders.pack,.and wherein each of said packszof cards contains apluralityof cards which can be advantageously, or gainfully, played arbitrarily: at any time;v each of said packs also containing a. plurality of other cards which can 3 beplaye'd'advantageously, orgainfully, only when one or more runnersare on bases.

Another object is to provide aset of cards for playing the game of base-balLwherein one half of the set is termed the batters pack, and the other half thereof, the fielders pack, and wherein certain of th'e cards of each of the two packs recitethe existing condition, or situation, of the game, the play asexecuted, and the results of the play; this object defining three distinct sets of indicia on each card, as above recited, and being referred to in the specification asthe top, middle, and bottom indicia, respectively.

I Other and more specific objects ofthe invention are mentioned anddescribed' herein; I In i-llustrating my invention all of the fifty two cards, which constitute the two packs of twenty si x each, are shown onthe accompanying drawingswherein I Figure 1 illustrates the 'variouscards which constitute the batters packtand Figure 2 illustrates thevarious cards which constitute the"fielders pack. V Referring" to the details of the drawings'the numerals II: to. Z6] inclusivesindicate' the-twenty thereof; the expression single constitutes the six playing cardsof the batters pack, and numerals 21 to 52 inclusive indicate the twenty six playing cards of the fielders pack.

In the play of my improved baseball card game the conventional baseball diamond, which con- 7-1;

stitutes the playing field, and which is well known in the art, is to be drawn on a' sheet of paper, whereon the home plate, the first, second and third bases are indicatedand which may be connected by the usual base lines, also well known in the'art. Suitable coins, disks, buttons, or the like, may be used to indicate men on bases (base runners), and which are to be placed on the proper base, or bases, and moved'frombaseto base, or to the home plate, as the play on the card, 15?

or cards, indicates, and as the game proceeds,

' As heretofore stated, the twenty'six cardsof Fig. 1 of the drawings constitute the batters, or ofiensive, pack, and the cards shown in Fig. 2 constitute the field'ers, or idefensive pack, mak- 2 ing a total of fifty two cards in both packs; It will be'evident'; after a study of my card game, that additional cards,icarrying new plays thereon, could be added to my fifty: two.- card set; but I prefer to make my card game simple andon'e that .5 arouses much enthusiasm in the players.

'Each of the fifty two cards of theset'is divided into three parts, viz? top, middle, and bottom, and each of said three parts carries indicia that is important in the play of the game and materially contributing something to every play in the game. The top part indicates the exact situation under which the particular card may be played; the middle part of the card indicates what happens on that particular play; and the bottom part of the card indicates thesituatlon on the playing field after the play is made. For example, in card I of the batters pack, the'expression Anytime constitutes the top' part 40 middle part thereof and the expression .Runners (if any) advance one base-batter on first constitutes the bottom part of the card. The card I, thus described, constitutes an Anytime card for the reason that it' may be played at any time regardless of the situation on the playing field. It will be noted that cards 3, 8, I4, 20, 2|, 23 and 24 of the batters pack all belong to the Anytime type ofcard, and they all have the same value as card I, and that in every instance the top part of the card is indicated by the word Anytime.

In card 2 of the batters pack, which is termed a when card, the expression When runners on 55 first and second indicates the top part of the card; the expression Batter is hit by pitched ball indicates the middle part of the card; and the expression Bases are loaded indicates the bottom part of the card. All of the other twenty four cards of the batters back are similarly designed. It will. therefore, the apparent that the top part of each card indicates the exact situation under which that particular card may be played; although, as heretoforestated, the

Anytime cards may be played arbitrarily at any time regardless of the situation on the playing field. For example, the card I may be played at any time to introduce a single (one base hit) into the play of the game. And the same applies to the remaining Anytime cards. The When card 2 may be played only when the top part thereof, to wit: When runners on first and second exactly corresponds with the situation on the playing field. That is, before card 2 can be played, there must be base runners on first and second bases, and it cannot be played, except as discarded, under any other situation existing on the playing field. And when the exact condition defined by the top part of the card 2 exists on the playing field, the card may then be played as Batter is hit by pitched ball (as defined by the middle part thereof) to indicate that the Bases are loaded (as provided by the card bottom part); and that there are three men on bases due to the batter being hit by a pitched ball. V

In the fielders, or defensive, pack of cards there are also both Anytime and When cards.

And therein the card 21 is an Anytime card and consequently may be played at any time to record a Strike on the man at bat, as indicated by the middle part of that card, the effect thereof being indicated by the bottom part of the card, viz: runners (if any) hold their bases. It will be noted that the cards 30, 33, 31, 38, 39,

a and 46 of the fielders pack are also Anytime cards which may be played at any time regardless of the existing situation on the playing field, to handicap or eliminate the batsman on whom the pitcher may be working.

The' card 28 of the fielders pack is a When cardwhich can be played only when a base runner is on third base, the"middle part of this card specifying a grounder to right of shortstop, the effect of which is specified by the bottom part of said card, to wit: Runner is out trying to scorebatter is safe at first base. It will be noted that there are seventeen other When cards in the fielders deck, to wit: numbers 29', 3|, 32, 34, 35, 36, 4|, 42, 43, 44, 45, 41, 48, 49, 50, 5| and 52, each of which can be played only when the condition, or situation, specified by the top part of the card corresponds exactly with the situation on the playing field. From the foregoing it will be evident that any Anytime card of either of the batters or fielders deck of cards carries top, middle, and bottOm indicia which recites the three features thereof, viz: anytime, which enables arbitrary playof that particular card; the play as actually executed; and the result, or effect, of the play.

The manner of play This game must be always played by two sides opposing each other, one side being the player, or players, of the batters deck, and the other side, the fielders deck. Each side may include one or more persons, but the combination which will arouse the maximum of interest and enthusiasm is one composed of two players on each side. If two persons only play this game (one on each side) five or six cards may be dealt to each player. If four persons play the game (two on each side) three cards may be dealt to each player. If six persons play the game (three on each side) two cards may be dealt to each player.

After dealing the cards, as above provided, the remaining cards 'of each deck, each deck separately, are placed face downward in the center of the table to enable ready access thereto by all of the players. After each play each player draws a card from the deck on the table which he represents. That is, the batters player draws only from the batters deck, and the fielders player draws only from the fielders deck, so that each of the players always holds the same number of cards with which the game was initiated at the beginning of each half inning. One side uses the batters deck, or pack, for the first half of an inning, while the opposition is using the fielders deck. In the second, or last, half of the inning this situation is reversed. The cards of each deck should be thoroughly shuffled at the finish of each half inning. The player making the opening play of a game may be determined by lot, or in any other acceptable manner. In each succeeding half inning the opening play may rotate one player to the left.

Preferably, one of the players representing the batters side opens the play of the game. For example, that player might open by playing card for a single (one base hit) which would place the batter on first base; or by playing card 8 for a ball, which is advantageous to the batter (the man at bat). After making that initial play the opening player draws one card from the batters deck on the table.

Assuming that the player making the openingplay has played card I, which would place a man on first base,'the opposition play by the fielders side might logically be card 36 which provides for infield grounder-double play atits middle part, whereby both-the batsman and the base runner are'out, or eliminated from the play. The third play is made by one of the batters players (assuming that four players are in the game) ,and that player might logically play card 23, the middle part of which specifies two base hit, thereby placing a base runner on second base. And such a play might logically be followed by. the fourth player (representing the fielders deck) playing card 33 which, at the middle part thereof, specifies pop fly caught by the pitcher, thereby making three men out and retiring the side. Ifa player does not have an anytime or when card which meets the exact situation on the playing field he must discard one card, stating thereupon throwing it away, or I discard one, and at once draw another card from his deck on the table.

The players may, and should, keep accurate account of the outs and scores of each inning, as is well known in the baseball art, remembering that, if a batsman makes the third out, and 'even if the card played should state that a runner scores, that such a score does not count, for, technically, the batsman is out from the moment the ball left the pitcher's hand. It will be noted that four of the cards of the batters pack, to wit: Cards 8, 2|, 20 and 24, provide for a ball at the middle part thereof, and occasionally said four'cards might be played before an ou 'is made, or before another runner gets on base. In such an event a runner should be placed on first base (in accordance with the well known rule which gives the batsman a base on balls), and if this forces the base runner to advance, such advance of a base runner must be made.

In like manner the three cards of the fielders deck which provide for strike at the middle part thereof, to wit: Cards 31, 39 and 40, may be played before another runner gets on base, or before an out is made, and in such event an out must be recorded against the batters side. Play may be expedited considerably, when four persons are playing the game, if the first player .will always deal the batters cards; the second player will always deal the fielders cards; the third player controls the playing field; and the fourth player records the scores.

I claim:

1. A baseball card game comprising two packs of cards, one constituting a batters pack and the 7 other a fielders pack, each card of the batters pack indicating a complete play favoring the team at bat and the cards of the fielders pack indicating complete plays favoring team in the field, certain cards of each pack being playable under different situations from others, three separate legends on each card of each pack, one legend indicating situations in the game when a particular card may be played, another legend indicating a complete simulated play of a baseball game consumated by the playing of a particular card, a third legend indicating the position of base runners if any on completion of the play indicated by a particular card whereby to avoid argument on the point between individuals participating in the game, and said respective legends located on the same relative portion of each of said cards whereby they can be quickly identified by their position on the card and errors avoided. 2. A baseball card game comprising two packs of cards, one constituting a batters pack and the other a fielders pack, each card of the batters pack indicating a complete play favoring the team at bat and each card of the fielders pack indicating a complete play favoring team in the field, certain cards of each pack being playable under difierent situations from others, at least two separate legends on each card of each pack, one legend indicating situations in the game when a particular card may be played, a second legend indicating the position of base runners if any on completion of the play indicated by a particular card whereby to avoid argument on this point between individuals participating in the game, and said respective legends located on the same relative portion of each of said cards whereby they can be quickly identified by their position on the card and errors avoided.

VERNON D. SHOUP. 

